Coleman welcomes soldier home

Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, January 12, 2008

COLEMAN - Nothing could dampen this small town's patriotic spirit as residents waited outside in the cold for one of their own to return from Iraq.

Spc.

By Angela E. Lackey

COLEMAN - Nothing could dampen this small town's patriotic spirit as residents waited outside in the cold for one of their own to return from Iraq.

Spc. Mikhael Sentz, 21, returned home to a hero's welcome Saturday afternoon. He recently served 15 months in Iraq with the 2nd Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colo.

"I think it's an appropriate way to show we're thankful," said Deborah Bishop.

"I thought I'd come out because I support the troops," said Garrison Baldwin.

Bishop and Baldwin were standing with a small group in front of the VFW Post 1071. Pockets of people stood up and down Railway Street, watching for the first sign of Sentz's arrival.

"Here they come!"

Sgt. Paul Mercy of the Coleman Police Department led the line of vehicles bringing Sentz and his family to Coleman from MBS International Airport. The roar of a Patriot Guard motorcycle heralded Sentz's arrival, and the crowd clapped and waved small American flags as the group drove past.

Over at a Community of Christ reception, Sentz was hugging and greeting a long line of family and friends.

"It feels great," he said of being home. He turned to hug yet another person.

"Hello, Mikhael," said an elderly lady. "I'm glad you're back."

Linda Sentz was standing in the church's kitchen, looking at her son.

"(Today) is the happiest day of my life since he was born," she said. "This is rejoicing. God has brought him home safely to us."

Linda said it was the community and church that helped her through Mikhael's deployment.

"That's one good thing about a small community," she said.

Lisa Sentz was excited to see her twin brother and surprised by how many people came out to see him.

"I'm shaking, actually," she said.

More people were coming into the church, and several stopped to thank Mikhael for serving his country.

"That means a lot," he said. "(But) I don't feel like a hero. There's guys who've done a lot more than me."

The division was stationed in Baghdad. Mikhael said their mission was "to clean up the insurgency and try to turn things around so people can live a peaceful life."

"And we did," he said. "I'm proud of what we did."

Mikhael is a 2004 graduate of Coleman High School. He joined the Army in March 2006.

"I've always wanted to do it," he said.

"I had a lot of fun times over there," he continued. "I did some things I never thought I'd do before."

He also found out people are much the same all over.

"They're just like us," he said. "A few things are different, but they're just like us day in and day out."

He said it was a "big relief" when he first arrived in the United States. He is home for 30 days, and planned to celebrate his 21st birthday with a quick drink Saturday night.

"I'm going to call it an early day," he said. "I've been up since 4:30 (a.m.)"

His grandparents, Vernell and Lucille Sentz, also were relieved he was back.

"I'm absolutely elated," Lucille said. "We have been waiting and waiting for this.

"It was very, very hard," she continued. "It was extremely hard for his mother, but she's a strong person. She has a lot of faith."

Spc. Kathi Sentz, 23, was there to celebrate her cousin's return. She is in the Bay City-based National Guard unit after serving in the Army for four years.

"I was worried," she said about Mikhael serving in Iraq. The two cousins kept in touch via the Internet.

"I'm just glad to see him," she said.

Reporter Angela E. Lackey can be reached at angelalackey@mdn.net or (989) 839-4246.